Readers Write: Aug. 14

Central library not worth saving

Atlanta Central Library, designed by the renowned architect Marcel Breuer, is undoubtedly admired by many in the architectural community as a masterpiece, but I suggest to the vast majority of the public this dreary soul-destroying building is sheer unadulterated ugliness. (“Library renovation passes major step,” Metro, Aug. 4) Some buildings draw you to them because of their attractiveness and beauty such as the Swan House in Buckhead, but this building has the exact opposite effect, which may be part of the reason why it is so underutilized. Nevertheless, Fulton County commissioners have decided — in spite of tight budget constraints — that this building is worth renovating at a cost between $40 and $50 million, more than double the amount to build it in 1980.

Apparently, commissioners were persuaded in their vote by the architectural establishment and others no matter what the cost. How ironic it is that so many fine old buildings in Atlanta have fallen victim to the bulldozer, but we are now going overboard to save this concrete monstrosity.

COLIN MASON, ATLANTA

Zika shouldn’t deter our athletes

Most of us are enjoying watching the Olympics and enjoying the heartwarming performances by athletes performing for the love of their sport. They have all made sacrifices to be able to be in Rio and participating in the Olympics.

It is somewhat sad to see that some of our top athletes, particularly in golf and basketball, can not be bothered to play for their country. Several have expressed shallow concerns over the Zika virus. However, there are over 10,000 athletes attending who are facing the risk to represent their country.

Help us, if they were ever asked to join the military and fight for their country.

JIM BAILEY, DECATUR

U.S. must lead way on nuclear weapons

Seventy-one years ago, the world saw the destructive power of nuclear weapons with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, with more than 15,000 nuclear weapons around the world, we must recommit ourselves to the cause of eliminating the world’s deadliest weapons.

There is no question that nuclear weapons are simply too destructive to ever be used. The devastation from the bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki would be far outdone by the even deadlier nuclear weapons of today. Yet, while the world agrees that we must never again use such horrific weapons, our actions do not match our words.

America must be a leader in ridding the world of nuclear weapons, limiting not only the size of our arsenal but the policies that keep us moments away from a nuclear war. It is past time that America abandon Cold War policies that keep our nuclear bombs on a hair trigger, declaring clearly that America will never be the first to use a nuclear weapon.

It is time to finally turn the page on the era of nuclear weapons.

DAVID PORTER, JONESBORO

Mental cues can help save kids’ lives

The story “Dad charged in deaths of infant twins,” A1, Aug. 6, about the continuing hot car deaths of small children is alarming to us all.